20 Minutes and Turkeys

Returning to California summer after eight days of tropical greenery and wide open beaches of Kauai shocks the body into reality. Temps reached 100 here today. It seems hotter than the humid 85 in Kauai. I long to plunge into the ocean. I’d settle for a pool which gives me second thoughts about the burial of our pool a few years ago.

The sunrise alarm of Kauai’s colorful roosters is replaced with these turkey youngsters outside my bedroom window calling for their mom. They spent the morning with cries of abandonment. Maybe mama turkey couldn’t take it anymore. Maybe she needed a morning off. Late morning we heard her call, far off down the hillside. I watched the young ones mindfully waddle down the driveway.

So why did I include “20 Minutes” in my title? Because the last four weeks I committed to the exercise of writing 20 minutes a day. Everyday but Sunday. I managed to do this in spite of an eight day vacation proving to myself that I can find 20 minutes out of 24 hours. Not always easy, and sometimes writing into the late hours, but the course is complete. I thank my instructor, Len, from Story Circle Network for offering this class. Len offers a binder full of lessons, generous feedback and gentle reminders. If you need inspiration, go there. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

I can’t promise 20 Minutes a day posted here. My priority is to finish the first draft of my memoir before Labor Day. But, you can be sure I will be writing 20 minutes a day somewhere.

I think I hear the turkeys calling. Later.

Mountains of Memories

Shoes to Whitney There’s Mt. Whitney dirt buried beneath the layer of dust on these boots. Nearly twenty years after the journey they remain under the nightstand, waiting for the next trek. I had planned to hike the trail again but the reality of that is improbable. Now I see the boots and bandana as trophies of past adventures – checks Mt Whitney ledge off the bucket list of goals.

I reflect on that elation I once felt at the top of this world. The photo proof of accomplishment feeds my mind with encouragement, staving off the inner critic as I work on my current goal to finish the memoir, one switchback at a time.

The process of writing the memoir is like climbing that mountain. We begin at the bottom, working on the arc of the story – the path to the top and then down again. I set the milestones.

Permits – getting permission
Training – learning the best way
Advice – finding a coach who has been there
Mirror Lake – reflecting on the memories
Trailside Meadows – feeling the effects but pushing on
Trail Camp – regenerating
97 Switchbacks – penning the points in the arc
Trail Crest – seeing the other side
Summit – the first draft
97 Switchbacks – editing, cutting back
Return to the Portal – exhausted but exhilarated
Buying the “I Climbed Mt Whitney T-Shirt” – the reward

I am at Trailside Meadows. Where are you in your journey?

A to Z Challenge

And the winner is……. me…. and over 1000 other bloggers. It had been adventuresome, creative, educational and fun. But now it is time for me to focus on the memoir. Hoping to have first draft complete by summer’s end. Meanwhile, stay in touch. I’ll post when I can. Happy May Day.

Quidnunc

Admit it. We all like to hear a juicy bit of gossip. As long as it is not about us. Or our family. Or our best friend. The important thing to remember, however, is that most gossip is simply idle talk or rumor.

Writing memoir requires cautious editing and removal of anything which could damage others. Quidnuncs are invited to read my memoir. They may be disappointed.

Story Circle Network Conference

SCN Gifts The writer within nags at me (yes I do have one of those).While I planned to only post A to Z challenges this month, I can’t stop from posting this one. I can’t wait to save it for my “S” word.

Yesterday turned out to be an exhausting day of travel as I returned home from the Story Circle Network conference in Austin. Note, I was already exhausted. In a good way. I’ve commented in several places that “this is the best gift I have ever given to myself.”

This conference is an amazing immersion into writing wisdom, new friendships, laughter & tears – more than anything I could have hoped for. Everywhere I went I heard the word “Takeaway.” I took away a bag full of goodies, a set of goals, a journal of new beginnings, an armload of books (if yours is not pictured here, it probably resides on my Kindle), a new confidence and regenerated enthusiasm. Many thanks to all the organizers, presenters, volunteers, and those who invited me into their worlds. Special thanks to Susan Albert Wittig for launching this compassionate community of women writers.

I joined Story Circle Network in the year 2000 but this was my first conference. I never understood what I was missing until now. God willing I’ll be at the next one in April 2018. Hope to see you there too.